We moved. Braden started school. We're in a new city. We have no friends here. We have no family here. And we have no income...yet, hopefully.
As if all that change weren't enough (plus the upcoming start of kindergarten and then the arrival of our baby), I've decided to add something totally new, unexpected, and unchartered to our family.
On our drive up here, I suddenly had the thought that I should cloth diaper our next baby. WHAT?! Cloth diaper?! I have NEVER wanted to cloth diaper. I like the advancements of diapering, namely being able to toss the mess in the trash and not worry about it. I like not having to do the laundry more often than absolutely necessary. I like that my skinny children have skinny buns. While I admire those who do cloth diaper, it has never interested me. In fact, I have had a few prejudices against it. But the inspiration came and wouldn't leave.
Flashing into my mind was exactly how to make my own cloth diapers in a way that I would like. I helped my friend a few years ago in her cloth diapering business, but I knew those types of diapers were not what I was looking for. I had a very specific criteria in my mind and suddenly I could literally see the pattern in my mind of what to do and how to do it. It was an incredible experience.
Still, I delayed a few days before bringing it up to Braden. Surprisingly, he was pretty supportive. We decided we needed to get the hang of it with Avery first and I needed to actually make the pattern I saw in my mind. So I got the fabric I wanted and started to sew. My first few attempts were unsuccessful, but every time I laid down to sleep, the thoughts of what to do kept flowing. Needless to say, I haven't slept well in over a week (well, more like 7 months, but who's counting?). This afternoon, I finally got it. I think. And I love them.
I have such a sense of satisfaction when I put one of these diapers on Avery. I don't know what it is. Is it creating something? Following clear inspiration? Saving the planet? I don't know. But I know that it makes me happy...which I never thought cloth diapering would do.
Tonight, I'm making mini diapers for the baby. Since I have no child to model for me, I'm guessing here, but I'm hoping the inspiration is still flowing so I'm not wasting fabric.
Why cloth diapering? Not because I have a moral issue against disposables, believe me. Not because I'm trying to be green. Not because I think cloth is better, or whatever other argument could be made. I am cloth diapering right now (besides the inspiration part) because of the financial savings. I buy diapers for $40 every other month per kid. That's about $250 a year per kid. For three years of diapering, that's $750. Or $3000 to diaper all my kids.
Plus, the amount of diapers we go thru is astounding. I calculated something like Avery has gone thru well over 4000 diapers in her short 2 years. Average out 3 years per kid of diaper wearing and that's over 6500 diapers per kid...or 26,000 diapers for our 4 children alone. Wow.
Anyway, I like that these are slim fitting on Avery. She's so slender and I can usually not tell that she's wearing one. But I know I haven't figured out the washing part well. I don't really know the whole routine or how to make this simple. It isn't that big of a deal, but those poopy diapers...whew. Any advice?
This is a new and very unexpected road we're on, but for now, I'm grateful to be on it.
6 comments:
I'm glad to see an update, I have been thinking about you! I would love to hear from you in person how things are going when you are not so busy making a life in a new town & learning how to clean out the poop. :)
Send me pictures of the diapers you made! I am totally curious.
Oh yeah, and I emailed you about this, but in case you don't get the email, go check out my cloth diapering advice on my blog: http://mollyauf.blogspot.com/2011/02/cloth-diapers-3.html
I'm happy to answer any and all questions you have!
And now I'm obsessed with the idea of the thin-fitting diapers you made.
Peeeuuu!!!! You must have had some major inspiration to do this! I have cloth diapers on the brain for when the world ends. I'll figure it out then...but hopefully I won't have kids in diapers by then. ;) You are awesome, good for you! Keep the updates coming!
You are such an entertaining writer. How about the white pail of Clorox water to let them sit in after you rinse off the gross stuff. That's the extent of my knowledge in that area. Good luck. You always amaze me at how creative you are.
Ditto what Jill said. Call me when you have time to chat and tell me about your new life :)
I used cloth for my first kids, for the same financial reason. To get the cleanest diapers uses lots of water. Body fluids come out in cold water... so first rinse as much as you can in the toilet. Bleach gets them white but also breaks down the fibers in your fabric, so I like Oxy cleaners better. You can soak them in cold water and oxy overnight in your washer, or soak them in oxy and water in the diaper pail - but then the pail is really heavy to lift. Then they need washed in super hot to disinfect, and an extra rinse doesn't hurt to make sure there is no soap left to irritate their skin. Obviously, you probably aren't going to do all that, but pick and choose and find what you like best. Love you!
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